Collapsible crustacean trap

ABSTRACT

An improved crustacean, fish &amp; animal trap comprising a collapsible hoop and mesh structure to minimize storage size. The invention is unique in that it collapses through the manipulation of flexible hoops to a size minimized in all three dimensions. The primary configurations would be for crab, prawns and lobster/crayfish; however, in slightly different configurations, can be used to catch or cage animals, fish and other crustaceans. Another embodiment of the trap would feature only one hoop and would be used as a “lift trap.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The non-commercial trapping of crustaceans is a pastime enjoyed bythousands of people worldwide. One of the few inhibiting factors in thispursuit is the nature of the crustacean trap itself. It is often bulkyand awkward to carry and store. The collapsible crustacean trap solvesthese problems. There are many collapsible crustacean traps on themarket today but most of them do not form into the ultimate shape orsize. The ultimate shape being a circular trap so that the crustaceanscan easily circle and find the entrance. The ultimate size being largeenough so that large amounts of bait can be placed in it and still haveadequate separation from the outside wall causing the crustaceans torealize they must find an entrance to get to the food. Patentedsquare/rectangular collapsing traps include inventions by Eric C. Wass(Patent #706,299), Alan N. McKenzie (Patent #571,264), John O. Jonason(Patent #176,434) and Gerald J Cheramie (Patent Application20040881995). These traps are often complicated to assemble and are notas efficient as circular traps (proven by the commercial designs). Thereare circular collapsible traps on the market like that envisioned byCharles Ponzo (U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,758) but they only incorporate asingle stage of collapsing making it bulky for storing. Ladner Traps ofDelta, British Columbia, Canada, also have a circular trap thatcollapses and folds in half. This design is an improvement on others butstill lacks the assembled volume of the present invention and isconsiderably larger when collapsed in its storage state.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention, in its standard double hoop configuration, issuperior to all existing collapsing traps as it is circular in designand easily has the best volume expansion ratio of approximately 25:1.Most collapsing traps have only one stage of collapsing, namely reducingits size in two dimensions only. The present invention adds anotherstage of collapsing to allow it to minimize in all dimensions. Thepresent invention, because of its superior collapsibility, is wellsuited to applications where there are storage limitations such as incruisers, sailboats, tenders, kayaks, canoes, floatplanes, automobiles,and recreational vehicles or when traveling in general.

The present invention, once assembled, can be deployed into the waterand let down to settle on the seafloor/freshwater floor. A rope affixedto a bridal, which in turn is affixed to the trap, generally controlsthe deployment. A float can be attached to the upper end of the rope ifthe trap is to be left unattended.

The present invention is a portable frame and mesh trap defined by itsunique collapsibility. Its collapsibility is obtained from themanipulation of a flexible hoop or hoops that typically cuts its heightby 90% (for the double hoop embodiment) and its diameter by 50% (for allembodiments), bettering its storage ability. There are two mainembodiments of this trap: single hoop (an open ‘lift trap’) and doublehoop (similar to a standard enclosed circular trap). The uniqueness ofthe trap is derived mostly from the second stage in folding the trap forstorage. The first stage, common in traps, is releasing struts to allowthe top of the trap to nest with the bottom of the trap, reducing itssize vertically. The typical process in stage two in collapsing thehoop(s) would be to grasp opposite sides (looking at the hoop(s) as aclock, grasp them at the 3 & 9 o'clock positions) and force themtogether with a slight twist to form a figure eight. A clamp may be usedto secure the created waist. Fold the outside curves (originally at the12 & 6 o'clock positions) of the figure eight toward one another untilthey are touching. A clamp may be used to secure the hoop(s) together atthis point as well. The other necessary parts of the trap areincorporated into the resulting minimized package.

The present invention is distinct from all other traps in the method bywhich it is collapsed and conversely setup. The method is similar to thefolding and storing of a band saw blade. It is also similar to themethod defining the invention described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,784 foran automobile sunshade. In this patent a sunshield is collapsed bytwisting and folding similar members to attain dramatically reduced sizedimensions.

The primary configurations for the present invention would be for crabs,prawns, lobsters and crayfish. These traps, in slightly differentconfigurations, can be used to catch and/or contain animals, fish andother crustaceans. The entrance means, as referred to in the Claims, canbe any structure applied to the opening that allows the species to becaptured (target species) to enter the trap and not be able to escapeunless regulations require otherwise. These structures include, but arenot restricted to: mesh funnels, swinging one-way gates and plasticoverlapping fingers such as a neptune's trigger. Any species that aremeant to be trapped by the present invention are referred to in theClaims as objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a complete view of crab trap 100, the primaryembodiment of the present invention when fully assembled.

FIG. 2A illustrates the first step of collapsing crab trap 100. This andsubsequent drawings may not depict netting in order that other primefeatures are easily identified.

FIG. 2B illustrates the second step of collapsing crab trap 100.

FIG. 3A illustrates the continuation of the collapsing process from thesecond step to the third.

FIG. 3B illustrates the continuation of the collapsing process from thethird step to the fourth step.

FIG. 3C illustrates the continuation of the collapsing process from thefourth step to the fifth step.

FIG. 3D illustrates the continuation of the collapsing process from thefifth step to the sixth step.

FIG. 4 illustrates a large-scale diagram of the frame struts and gatesused in crab trap 100. This is an example of the structural means sitedin the Claims.

FIG. 5 illustrates a secondary embodiment of the present invention,being crab trap 200, wherein mesh funnels are incorporated instead ofgates to create ingress and prevent egress of objects to be captured.

FIG. 6 illustrates a tertiary embodiment of the present invention, beingcrab trap 300, wherein a single hoop is used to create what is commonlyknown as a ‘lift trap’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied inother specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the Claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a collapsible crab trap 100, the primary embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 the crab trap 100 issubstantially formed by two 1×19 strand stainless steel wire ropes, tophoop 21 and bottom hoop 22, joined by a crimped stainless tube, crimp38. Hoop 21 and Hoop 22 are sited in the Claims as annular members. Inits assembled state, FIG. 1, crab trap 100 has the top hoop 21positioned parallel directly above the bottom hoop 22. Top hoop 21 andbottom hoop 22 are held separated by struts. Struts are named in theClaims as a structural means. The struts comprise three stainless steelframes, frames 26, positioned equidistantly around the hoops. Frames 26consist of stainless steel rod running vertical from a hinge 30 on thebottom hoop 22 to a 90° bend to follow the top hoop 21 and to a 90° benddownward to hinge 30 on the bottom hoop 22. Frame 26 is sited as astructural means in the Claims. Hinge 30 consists of a loop in thestainless steel rod of frame 26 around bottom hoop 22. There would besix hinges 30, two on the bottom of each of the three frames 26. Theframes 26 are fastened to the bottom hoop 22 by hinge 30 and to the tophoop 21 by hanger 32. Hanger 32 is a facet of frame 26, located one ineach top corner facing inward, so as to hold up top hoop 21. As thereare six hinges 30 on the bottom of the frames there are six hangers 32at the top. Elastomeric tension lines 24 run adjacent to each side offrames 26 and are connected to the top hoop 21 and bottom hoop 22.Elastomeric tension lines 24 provide tension between the top hoop 21 andbottom hoop 22 so that the top hoop remains firmly in hangers 32. Thistension also creates rigidity in the trap. An alternate frame 26 can bepermanently attached to the top flexible hoop 21 and the bottom flexiblehoop 22 and have the ability to fold to allow the top flexible hoop 21to lie on the bottom flexible hoop 22. In the Claims, this arrangementis referred to as struts that are foldable.

Crab trap 100 in FIG. 1 comprises of three stainless steel gates 25 thatare suspended on gate hinges 31 on frames 26. Gate hinges 31 on frames26 are typical of a hinging means referred to in the Claims. Gates 25swing inward to provide ingress for crabs but will block egress by notswinging outward. Details of the gates 25 will be given with descriptionof FIG. 4. Gate 36 illustrates the swinging gate in the open position.Gate 36 is referred to in the Claims as a one-way swinging gate.

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred manner of enclosing the trap. Meshnetting 29 would be used to enclose the top and bottom of crab trap 100as well as portions of the sides outside the frames 26. Biodegradablemesh netting 28, which will degrade within weeks in a sub marineenvironment, may be employed in the top half of the area within frame 26to allow crustaceans to exit the trap if it is abandoned or lost.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bait container 27 that is placed inside the trapand clipped onto the mesh netting 29 near the middle of the bottom hoop22. The bait container would generally be comprised of a plastic meshenvelope that crustacean attractants could be placed within.

FIG. 1 also illustrates the components of crab trap 100 necessary forits deployment and retrieval. Lifting ring 34 is the upper terminus forthe three ropes forming the lifting bridal 33. The lifting bridal 33 isattached to the trap by stainless steel lifting points 23, which arewelded to the top of frame 26. A retrieval line or pole can be attachedto lifting ring 34 to deploy and retrieve the trap.

FIG. 1 illustrates clasps 35 at four equidistant points around thebottom hoop 22. They are molded plastic clasps that fastened together toaid in the collapsing process.

Most collapsing crab traps have only one stage of collapsing, namelyreducing their size in two dimensions only. Crab trap 100 adds anotherstage of collapsing to allow it to minimize in all dimensions. FIGS. 2Aand 2B illustrate the first stage. FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustratethe second stage.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the first two steps in collapsing crab trap100. The collapsing process is a key in the uniqueness of the presentinvention. Top hoop 21 must be lowered onto bottom hoop 22 before thetrap is flexed and than folded into its storing configuration, which isits most minimized form. To do this, the top hoop 21 must be lifted offand inward of the six hangers 32, there being two hangers on each frame26. The frames 26 are than folded out and down, hinging on hinges 30 onthe bottom hoop 22. The best time to remove crabs and the bait containeris after the first frame is swung away as there is good access to theinterior of the trap and it will still be in an erect state. Once allthe frames 26 have been folded out, the top hoop 21 will naturally droponto the bottom hoop 22. FIG. 2B illustrates this stage in collapsing.The elastomeric tension lines 24 become slack as the top hoop 21descends to the lower hoop 22. The removable bait container 27 is shownoutside the trap in FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate the continuation of the procedure tominimize crab trap 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The typicalprocess in these steps in collapsing the hoops would be to graspopposite sides of the two aligned hoops 21 & 22, indicated by the clasp35 positions in FIG. 1, (looking at the hoops as a clock, grasp them at3 & 9 o'clock positions) as shown in FIG. 3A and force them togetheruntil clasps 35 can be fastened. Fastening the opposing clasps carriesthe force required to flex the wire hoops inward allowing an easytransition to twisting the hourglass shaped hoops into a figure eight asshown in FIG. 3B. Fold the outside curves (originally at 12 & 6 o'clockpositions) of the figure eight toward one another until they aretouching as shown in FIG. 3C. The two remaining clasps may now besecured. Frames 26 can now be folded on top and below. The resultingconfiguration is the complete minimization of crab trap 100 as shown inFIG. 3D.

FIG. 4 comprises a detailed illustration of a frame 26 of crab trap 100.Frame 26 supports gate 25, through which crustaceans enter the trap. Thethree-sided frame 26 is hinged on the bottom hoop 22 by hinge 30. Thetop hoop 21 is secured by tension lines 24 in hangers 32 on each side atthe top of frame 26. The top of gate 25 is a stainless rod 41 thatpivots on gate hinges 31. Two separated vertical stainless steel rods 43are welded at their top ends to rod 41. Bisecting and welded to the twovertical rods 43 is stainless steel rod 42. Its span exceeds that of thewidth of the frame 26 so that it cannot swing outside the trap thuspreventing egress of the captured crustaceans. The top hoop 21, bottomhoop 22 and tension lines 24 are threaded through mesh netting 29.Biodegradable mesh netting 28 is used in the top half of frame 26 toprevent the long-term confinement of crustaceans in the event that thecrab trap is abandoned or lost.

FIG. 5 illustrates crab trap 200, the secondary embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein the primary components of the crab trapremain the same except for gates 25 and degradable mesh 28 (illustratedin FIG. 1), which are replaced with small mesh netting formed to theshape of a funnel 37 in a horizontal axis. The entrance of the trap isformed by threading the large diameter end of the mesh funnel onto theframe 26 and the small diameter end onto a stainless steel ring 44positioned inside the trap midway between the top hoop 21 and bottomhoop 22. The ring 44 is kept suspended by lateral tension introduced byinternal elastomeric tension lines 39. Crabs follow the scent emittedfrom the bait trap 27 into the funnel 37, climbing up a gentle slope,and passing through ring 44 into the interior of the trap. Abiodegradable mesh 28 exit would exist on the top of the trap stitchedinto standard mesh netting 29.

Crab trap 200 is collapsed, as is crab trap 100, by removing the frames26. The funnels are fully deformable once the tension lines 39 arereleased. The full procedure to minimize the trap is the same as crabtrap 100 (illustrated with FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D).

Both crab trap 100 and 200 can easily be transformed into othercrustacean traps by varying the mesh netting size and strength. Prawnscould be caught with smaller mesh incorporated into the design whereaslobster would need a stronger mesh. Typically, the flexible meshdescribed in the Claims is nylon or polyester netting. The biodegradablemesh is typically cotton netting.

FIG. 6 illustrates crab trap 300, the simplest embodiment of the presentinvention. Commonly called a lift trap, it is widely used on docks orareas where there is an abundance of crab. Crab trap 300 consists of astainless steel wire rope formed into a hoop 40 where the two ends arejoined with a stainless steel crimp 38. Hoop 40 is threaded through theperimeter of mesh netting 29. The mesh netting should form a dip orpocket so that, when it is raised from the bottom of the seafloor, itmakes it difficult for the crabs to escape over the perimeter,especially if the trap is brought up quickly forcing water pressure onthem. Crab trap 300 may consist of two hoops arranged in a manner toform a short mesh wall to prevent the escape of the target species whenit is lifted.

Crab trap 300 collapses by the same method as crab trap 100 in FIGS. 3A,3B, 3C and 3D only easier as there is only one hoop to flex and fold.

Crab trap 300, as illustrated in FIG. 6, utilizes a bait trap 27, andthe same lifting mechanisms as crab trap 100 and 200, namely liftingpoints 23, bridal 33, and lifting ring 34. A line, in turn, can beattached to lifting ring 34 to aid in deployment.

Crab traps 100, 200 and 300 have structures primarily made of stainlesssteel, as this material is better suited to the marine environment thenmost materials as it is less prone to degradation. However, compositematerials, plastics, reinforced plastics/rubber and a combination ofsteel and plastics could easily be used to make any part of the trapincluding the flexible hoops. These traps are scalable in size to fitdifferent applications.

1. A collapsible trap comprising: one or more flexible hoops, whereinsaid flexible hoops are adapted to be manipulated to reduce theircircumferential dimensions through the twisting of said flexible hoopsabout their diameters to form substantially figure-eight configurationsand the folding of said flexible hoops about the centres of saidfigure-eight configurations and a flexible mesh attached tosubstantially the entire circumferential edge of said one or moreflexible hoops.
 2. A collapsible trap comprising: a top flexible hoopand a bottom flexible hoop, wherein said top flexible hoop and saidbottom flexible hoop are adapted to be manipulated to reduce thecircumferential dimensions of said top flexible hoop and said bottomflexible hoop, one or more structural means connecting said top flexiblehoop with said bottom flexible hoop wherein said one or more structuralmeans stabilize said top flexible hoop in a fixed position above saidbottom flexible hoop, a flexible mesh connecting substantially theentire circumferential edges of said top flexible hoop with said bottomflexible hoop, wherein said flexible mesh encloses the space created bythe connection of said top flexible hoop with said bottom flexible hoopby said one or more structural means, one or more openings located insaid collapsible trap to allow for the entrance of objects into thespace created by the connection by said one or more structural means ofsaid top flexible hoop with said bottom flexible hoop,
 3. Thecollapsible trap as claimed in claim 2 wherein said structural meanscomprise struts that are detachable from one or both of said topflexible hoop and said bottom flexible hoop.
 4. The collapsible trap asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said structural means comprise struts thatare foldable.
 5. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidstruts comprise frames forming said openings.
 6. The collapsible trap asclaimed in claim 5 wherein said openings comprise a flexible meshfunnel.
 7. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 5 wherein saidopenings comprise a one-way swinging gate.
 8. The collapsible trap asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said one-way swinging gate comprises ahinging means, to allow the gate to swing on a horizontal axis, situatedbetween said top flexible hoop and said bottom flexible hoop.
 9. Thecollapsible trap as claimed in claim 5 wherein said openings comprise anentrance means to provide an object a one-way path into the trap. 10.The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said flexiblemesh comprises netting.
 11. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 2wherein the said flexible mesh comprises netting.
 12. The collapsibletrap as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a bridal connected to thetop of said collapsible trap and a lift ring connected to said bridal.13. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: abridal connected to the top of said collapsible trap and a lift ringconnected to said bridal.
 14. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim12 further comprising a line attached to said lift ring to aiddeployment.
 15. The collapsible trap as claimed in claim 13 furthercomprising a line attached to said lift ring to aid deployment.
 16. Thecollapsible trap as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a baitcontainer located in the interior of said collapsible trap.
 17. Thecollapsible trap as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a baitcontainer located in the interior of said collapsible trap.
 18. A methodof collapsing a collapsible trap defined in claim 3 comprising the stepsof: detaching said one or more structural means from one or both of topflexible hoop and bottom flexible hoop, placing said top flexible hoopdirectly on said bottom flexible hoop, twisting the opposite sides ofsaid top flexible hoop and said bottom flexible hoop about theirdiameters, forcing the opposite sides of said top flexible hoop and saidbottom flexible hoop together to form substantially figure-eightconfigurations, and folding said top flexible hoop and said bottomflexible hoop about their centres.